NFL general managers seemed to mistake the baseball trade deadline for their own yesterday.

Prominent players were swapped early and often on the third day of the league’s post-lockout free agency frenzy, with Kevin Kolb, Reggie Bush, Chad Ochocinco, Albert Haynesworth and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie all changing hands in a matter of hours.

The flurry of moves came on the eve of the day when contracts for veteran free agents can become official, though those players aren’t allowed on the field until the new league year starts Aug. 4.

The Cardinals completed the long-anticipated trade with the Eagles for Kolb, the young passer who chafed at playing backup to Michael Vick, by sending Rodgers-Cromartie to Philadelphia to help shore up a secondary that lost Quintin Mikell in free agency earlier this week.

Kolb, a four-year pro, has a low 81.2 career passer rating and 11 touchdown passes against 14 interceptions but is just 26 and fills a gaping hole in Arizona after terrible quarterback play last season doomed the Cardinals to a 5-11 finish.

Kolb’s arrival — and the nearly simultaneous agreement with Packers free-agent guard Daryn Colledge — also might help Arizona hold on to All-Pro wideout Larry Fitzgerald, who has made noise about leaving because the club was so bereft under center.

The Eagles didn’t take long to find another backup. Late last night, Philadelphia agreed to terms on a one-year contract for Vince Young, a source close to the quarterback told the NFL Network. Earlier yesterday, the Titans released their former first-round pick.

Bush, meanwhile, was shipped to the Dolphins because the Saints couldn’t justify his $11.2 million salary in light of the overrated former No. 2 overall pick’s spotty production and frequent injuries.

A source told ESPN that Bush agreed to a two-year contract for nearly $10 million.

Miami is hoping the disgraced ex-Heisman Trophy winner can boost a backfield of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams that showed little punch in 2010.

Bush’s departure was considered addition by subtraction in New Orleans, considering the Saints averaged more points and more yards in the games Bush missed versus those he played.

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The first highly ranked pass rusher to switch teams was former Titans Pro Bowl pick Jason Babin, who agreed last night to a lucrative deal with the Eagles.

Babin cashed in on a 12½-sack performance last season, earning $30 million over five years from Philadelphia as the Eagles look to fortify a defensive line that didn’t provide much pressure on opposing quarterbacks in 2010.

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The Patriots, mean while, shook up the AFC East with a pair of low-risk, po tentially high- reward trades for head cases Haynes worth and Ochocinco, who had worn out their wel come in Washington and Cincinnati, respectively.

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Elsewhere in the Jets’ division, Miami remained se rious after the Bush trade about com pleting a deal for Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton to compete with Chad Henne, but the purported swap remained on hold yesterday.

The absence of a deal resulted in some awkward moments in Denver as Orton practiced with the Broncos yesterday despite potentially having one foot out the door.

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The Panthers, who sent shockwaves through the league by overpaying to keep defensive end Charles Johnson and running back DeAngelo Williams, stayed busy by acquiring tight end Greg Olsen — a former first-round pick — from the Bears.

The moves apparently are going over well with Pro Bowl wideout Steve Smith, who told the NFL Network that he will no longer demand a trade and intends to report to Carolina’s training camp today.

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Free-agent running back Darren Sproles told the Associated Press in an email that he’s decided to sign with the Saints.

The speedy, 5-foot-6 Sproles, who has spent his first six NFL season with the Chargers, reached an agreement on a two-year deal but did not disclose the financial terms.

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The Buccaneers and RG Davin Joseph agreed to terms on a seven-year, $53 million contract including $19 million guaranteed. Joseph broke the news on Twitter late last night, and the St. Petersburg Times confirmed the deal’s length and financials.

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The Texans and former Bears safety Danieal Manning agreed on a four-year, $20 million contract, with $19 million guaranteed, the Houston Chronicle reported.